Steam-turbine.



FROM 5011 EH.

PATENTED JUNE 12, 1906.

J. W. SMITH. STEAM TURBINE.

APPLICATION FiLED JAN. 26, 1903.

4. SHEETS-SHEET 1 PATENTED JUNE 12, 1906.

J. W. SMITH.

STEAM TURBINE.

7 APPLICATION FILED JAN. 26, 1903.

4 SHEETS SHEET 2.

PATENTEP JUNE 12, 1906.

J. W. SMIT H. STEAM TURBINE. APPLIOATIQ1: FILED JAN. 26, 1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

witnesses PATENTED JUNE 12, 1906.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

J. W SMI-TH. STEAM TURBINE. 7

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 26, 1903.

W Rue/M1 1 To a whom it may concern clear, an

ran srarns PATENT orincn.

JOHN W. SMITH, OF ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TG BALL EN- GINE COMPANY, OF PENNSYLVANIA.

ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF spasm-rename.

Patented June 12, 1906;

Application filed January 26, 1903. Serial No.1&0.565.

Be it known that'I, JOHN W. SMITH, a citi-, zen of the United States, residing at Erie, in the county of- Erie and State of Pennsylvania, have-invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steam-Turbines; and I do hereb declare the followin to be a full,

(i exact description of t e invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. i i

This invention relates to improvements in steam-turbines.

Steam expanding from a higher to a lower pressure reaches a velocity in proportion to the difference in pressure, and it therefore follows that if the expansion is carried out in several separate steps the ratio of ex ansion will be diminished, thei'eb diminis 'ng in turn thefvelocity' at which te steam flows.

In the usual construction of steam-turbines it is customary to admit the steam to the rotating element and wholly expand the same at one point of impact only. Consequently the steam expanding wholly at this one point imparts a very high rotation to the movable element. At the same time by reason of the steam expanding only at one point the remaining portions of the rotating element are idle, so far as the action of the steam is concernedfiuntil the same arrive opposite the point wherein the steam is admitted, at which point these portions are subjected. to the expansion of the steam as it continues to flow from the boiler, in order that the rotation of the movable element may continue.

It is therefore the object of the present invention? to im rove the general construction of steam-turbines by including therein a simpie-yet very efficient arrangement whereby the steam in lieu of becoming wholly ex panded at'a single point is caused to be expanded at a series of points and in a series of successive steps around the peri hery. For this purpose it is necessary to divide-the periphery at several points which requires the construction of a turbine of comparatively large diameter, but by the same is attained a reduction in the peripheral speed through the series of ex ansions, and also a reduction by means of t e large diameter of the rotary speed. The rotary element thus receives the full expansive forceof the steam at various points thereon and without being caused to move at an excessively high rate of speed.

A further object of the present invention is to embody in the construction of a steamturbine simple and efficient means for continuously superheating the steam 'as the latter passes through the successive steps of expan-' sion, thus insuring the greatest degree of econnated.

A further object of the invention is to produce high efliciency under light load as well as full load by means of admitting the steam to the machine through two or more inlets.

With these general objects in view and others which will appear as the nature of the improvements is better understood the in-. vention consists, substantially, in the novel construction, combination, and arran ement of parts, as will behereinafter fully escribed, illustrated in the accompanying the rotating element to the admission and release blades and the receiving and return chambers. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevation of the rotatin element and the blades carriedthereby. fig. 7 is a detail sectional view of another form of the invention illustrating the use of a plurality of bladesin conjunction with the movable element. Fig. 8

is a diagrammatic sectional view of the construction disclosed in Fig. 7.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the shaft of the herein-described turbine upon which is mounted a disk 2, the latter constituting the body of the movable element and being of sufficient diameter to adapt the machine for generating the desired power.

The body of the machine comprises a casing 3, which casing is formed of two complementary sections 4 and 5, each of which sections comprises a web 6 at the periphery of which is formed an enlarged annular casing 7. The casings 7 are preferably cylindrical in cross section and their contiguous sides open toward each other, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. The webs 6 are provided with bearings 8, in which the shaft 1 is journaled and through which the same projects a sufiicient distance beyond said webs for the reception of a suit able driving-pulley, and said bearings are provided with glands or stuiling-boxes 9 in order to exclude air from the interior of the casing.

The inner edges of: the open sides of the chambers 7 are provided with oppositelydisposed inwardly-projecting annular lips 10, the outer edges of said openings being similarly formed and terminating in radiallyextending flanges 11, which flanges are secured together in any suitable manner, but preferably through the medium of bolts 12, in order to provide a steam-tight joint therebetween.

The periphery of the disk 2 is provided at spaced intervals with notches or serrations 13, and fitting within said notches or serrations is a series of teeth lei, said teeth being carried by an expansible supportin -ring 15. It will be observed by reference to fig. 4 that the disk 2 is provided at its peripheral edge with an outwardly-extending flange 1 6, which flange is formed integral with said disk and that the expansible supporting-ring 15 rests against said flange 16, so that the ring is prevented moving laterally by the flange 16,and it will also beobserved that a detachable securing-ring 17 is mounted upon the side of the disk 2 o )posite to the flange 16, so that said. ring eliectually holds the expansible ring 15 upon said disk. The rin 17 is held in fixed relation to the disk 2 t1rough the medium of bolts 18, but it is obvious that any other desired securing means may be employed. By providing the expansible ring 15 with the teeth 14 and fitting said teeth within the notches or serrations 1-3 it is evident that a connection is made between said '2 ring 15 and the disk 2, which will readily permi't expansion and contraction of said ring 15 under the heat to which it issubjected incident to the passage of the steam and by providing the detachable securing-ring 17 it will else be seen that said ring 15 may be readily removed from the disk2 when such is desired.

Arranged upon theexpansible supportingring 15 is a multiplicity of blades or vanes arranged to form an innerv series 19 and an outer series 20, and the cross-sectional c0ntour of said blades is substantially semicircular, as clearly shown in Fig. 5, whereby said blades are adapted to receive the im act of the'steam as the latter is directed tereto.

The length of the blades-19 and 20 is substan tially the same as the size olthe openings at the inner faces of the casings 7, and each of said blades is provided with an inwardly and outwardly extending lug 21, said lugs being formed upon the ends of said blades. It will be observed, however, that the lugs 21 at the inner ends of the blades 19 are seated in sockets-formed in the outer faeeof the expansible supporting-rim 15, while the lugs u on the outer ends of t 1e blades 20 are seatedin sockets formed in the inner face of a bindin ring 22, the lu s upon the outer ends 0% the blades 19 am? the inner ends of the blades 20 being seated upon inwardly-extending ribs formed upon clamping-rings 23, arranged at the, sides of said lugs and between the blades 19 and 20, said rings being suitabl secured together. The lugs 21 are prel'era ly square in order to prevent turning of the blades 19 and 20, and throu h the medium of the clam ing-rin s 23 an the binding-ring 22 it is o vieus t at said blades are firmly held upon the supporting-ring 15.

As before premised, it is one of the objects of the present invention to expand the steam as it is brought to the machine under boilerpressure by a series of steps. This expan sion in steps reduces the ratio of expansion in reducing the velocity of afllux. As the velocity'of the moving blades should be about forty-six one-hundredths of the velocity of the issuing jet of steam, it is clear to be seen that this form of expansion in steps reduces the peripheral speed, and at the same time absorbs the whole kinetic energy by impact. For the purpose of producing high efliciency under varying loads 1 have deemed it expeclient to introduce the steam to the turbine at series of different points, four being shown as the preferable number, and admitting the steam at nearly full boiler-pressure and to arrange a series of exhausts at points intermediate of the inlets, so that the steam, after being introduced to the interior of the machine, may be expanded successively and finally exhausted, but not before the entire kinetic energy of the steam has been utilized.

In Fig. 2, the numerals 24 designate the inlets through which the steam is introduced from the boiler, which inlets are equidistant, and said inlets are suitably connected through piping 25 with the supply-pipe leading from the boiler. This supply may be controlled by a suitable throttling-valve, and each inlet ITS ' seats? rect the live steam to the point of its first expansion said casing is provided opposite to each of said inlets with a passage 27, whereby the steam is conveyed to the opposite side of ing disk 2.

'said division-ring 35 is a series the casing, which is open and which is contiguous to the blades 19 and 20 of the rota,t In order to effect the expansion of the steam, a series of stationary admission-blades 28 is employed, which blades are formed upon a machined ring 29, seated within a rabbeted portion 30 of theinwardly-extending annular lip 10, a'divisionring 31 being seated upon the outer ends of said blades and arranged intermediate the edges of said open side. Directly o posed to the admission-blades 28 and seated in a corresponding position in the 'open side of the other casing 7, is a series'oi stationary release-blades 32, formed upon a machined ring 33, seated in a rabbeted portion 34 ofthe lip 10 of the other casing 7, a division-ring 35 being arranged in the open side thereof'and seated upon said' blades ,32. Fitted upon of stationary admission-blades 36, said blades being formed upon a machined ring 37, seated in a rabbeted portion 38 of the outer lip of said casing. Directly opposed to'the blades 36 in the other casing 7 and fitted upon the division-ring 31 is a series of stationary releaseblades 39, which. blades are formed upon a machined ring 40, fitted in a rabbeted por-' tion 41 of the outer lip of said casing. It will thus be seen that the admission-blades of the two casings 7 are diagonally opposite ,to each other, while the release-blades are also diagonally opposite, and it will also be noted that the. spaces between the stationary blades 28, 32, 36, and 39 will communicate with the spaces between the blades19 and 20, so that a continuous passe ge is formed between the two casings 7, and steam is permitted to readily pass from one to the other.

In Fig. 5 the exact construction of the admission blades is shown and by referring thereto it will be observed that the same comprise a base-flange 42, from which extends a deflected-flange 43. The fianges43 are, however, each provided with a shoulder 44, and

by reason of said shoulders it will be observed that narrow throats are formed between the blades, which throats gradually enlarge to the ends contiguous to the-moving blades 19 and 20. Consequently the steam which is admitted to, the mouthsof said throat passes into the latter and after passing. the shoulders 44 begins to expand until the chambers 48 to insure that par- In order to accomplish'the successive expansions of the steam hereinbefore referred to, it is necessary to transfer the steam in its progress around the 08.81

path from the inlets to the exhausts, and to this end the casing 7, in which the inlets are formed, is provided with a series of receivingchamberspwhile'the other casin 7 is provided with a series of return-chem ers; The receiving-chambers gradually enlarge from the inlets to the exhausts, and at this point it .-will be noted that the steam entering the inlets 24 is split at each one of the latter and flows from each side thereof to the next succeeding exhaust on either side. The steam, therefore, which passes throughthe passages 27 is expanded at thestationaryadmissionblades 28 passes into a receiving-chamber 47 directly opposite to said admission-blades. rises and passes through the admission-blades 36, where it receives its and is then returned to the receivin -cham bers 48, formed in the casing 7, in w i inlets 24 are arranged. The chambers 48 are provided with inclined division-walls 49 whereby the steam is gradually advanced around the periphery of the casing, and after this step the steam asses through the next set of admission-bla es 28,- where it receives its third expansion, and these steps continue in succession until the adjacent exhaust is ng 7 from one to the at the end thereof, from which it other, thereby following a substantially spiral I It then ICC second expansion oh the reached. The exhausts correspond in num her to the inlets 24 and are designated by the numerals 50, said exhausts being formed in the casing 7 opposite to that wherein the inlets 24 are formed. The return-chambers 47 are likewise divided by means of divisionwalls 51, but said chambers 47 are arranged slightly out of alinement with the receiving a'proper delivery of the steam during its various traverses through the blades of the id'tatin element and during its advancement around the peripheries of the casings.

To provide for effectually superheating the steam during the successive steps of expansion, each of the casings 7 is provided witha jacket 52, these jackets being filled with live steam introduced directly from'the boiler,

andthe division-walls 49 and 51 are also ISQ jacketed for the passage of live steam to further insure the proper superheating of the steam flowing in the machine. By referring to Fig. it Will be observed that the chambms 47 are each provided with projections 53 from the jackets 52, whereby-a larger heating area is obtained.

It is highly desirable in the traverse of the steam through the machine, and from one chamber to another, to prevent splitting of the steam during the passage between the blades 19 and 20 and whereby the steam would not follow the regular course, and to the accomplishment of this end each of the stationary blades immediately contiguous to the walls 49 is of sufficient thickness to ex- 'tend'over'and cover two of the moving blades,

cline in the direction of while 'each of the stationary blades immediately contiguous to the walls 51 is of sufiicient thickness to extend over and cover three of the movin blades. Consequently the steam -is preclu ed splitting as it passes from the receiving to the return chambers, and vice versa.

It has also been stated that one of the objectsof thepresent invention is the revision of a joint between the movable-an stationary elements of the turbine, which is adapted to prevent leakage or escape of the steam,

and by referring to Fig. 4 this joint is clearly illustrated. The lips 10-are formed with in clined overhanging flanges 54, which flanges are inclined in the same direction or in the direction of the courseof the steam, and said fianges correspond with beveled or aha-infer- 'red surfacesl'ormed upon the expansible sup- -porting-ring 15. The clamping-rings 23 are i-kewise provided with similar flanges 55, said flanges corresponding with overhanging lips or flanges 56, formed upon the divisionrings 31 and 35. The flan es 55 and 56 inthe course of the steam through the blades 20 and are there- 'fore reversed to the inclination of the flanges 54, and it will thus be seen that as the steam passes in both directions through the blades 19 and 20 the inclined flanges will prevent leakage through the clearance-spaces, a par tial vacuum being formed therein, and consequentlythe interior of the machine between the webs 6 is freed from accumulations of the steam, which under ordinarycircumstances -is liable to escape through the clearancespaces.

In Fig. 7 is shown another form of the invention; but in the main this is substantially the same as shown in the other figures. Fig. 7, however, discloses the use of a plurality of blades upon the rotating element, and by referring to said figure it will be observed. that a pair of supporting-rings 57 is mounted upon the peripheral edge of the disk 2, each of said 'rin 'sbeing provided with the inner blades 19 an the outer blades 20, the rings 57 being was held upon the disk 52 through the medium oi bolts 58 or other suitable fastening devices. interposed between the series of rotating blades is a series of stationary blades 59 and 60, corresponding to the blades 19 and 20, while the stationary admission and release blades shown in the other figures are employed in precisely the same relation in Fig. 6 as in the other form. It is also obvious that even a larger number of rotating blades may be employed; but Fig. 6 is-dee'med sufficient to illustrate this feature of the invention. While the forms of the invention herein shown and described are believed to b'e'preferable embodin'ients thereof, it will of course be understood that the same is susceptible-of various changes in the dorm, proportion, and minor details of construction,:andthe right .is therefore reserved to modify or varyfthe in vention as falls Within the spirit and scope thereof.

Having'thus describedzrnyinvention, What is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is

1. In a turbine of the class described ,a sesaid blades, and admission- )lades arranged in said casings for introducing the steam to the rotating blades, said admission-blades having shoulders thereon to form throats which terminate in enlarged mouths adja cent to the rotating blades, whereby the steam is expanded during its passage between said admission-blades.

2. in a turbine of the class described, a series of rotating blades, casin s at the sideso'f said blades, and admissionlades arranged in said casings for introducing the steam to the rotating blades, said admission blades having shoulders thereon to form threats which terminate in'enlarged mouths adjacent to the rotating blades, whereby the steam is expanded during its passage-between said admission-blades, one of said-casings having an inlet for the steam :and the other provided with-an exhaust.

3. In a turbine of the class described, a ro tating element provided with a series of blades, a steam-casing arranged around said blades and having division-walls forming .a connected series of spiral chambers around the periphery of therotatingelement for advancing the steam in successive-steps around said rotating element, and admission and release blades arranged in saidcasingadjacent to the blades of the rotating element.

4. In turbine of the class described, a 1'0- tating element having a series oibladesand a casing having a steam inlet and exhaust, said casing being provided with a spirahlike ries of rotating blades, easin sat the sides of passage extendin on each. side-of said inlet haust,whereby' the steam introduced through said inlet is split and guided from each side thereof to the exhaust V 5. In a turbine ofthe class described, a rotating element provided with a series of blades, and a casing surrounding said element and formed of complemental sections each of which is provided with an annular steam-casing, said casings having open sides adjacent to the blades of said rotating element, and an expansible supporting-ring carried by said rotating element to which said blades are applied, and stationary admission and release blades arranged in the opensides of said casings for effecting successive expansions of the steam during its traverse from said casings and through the blades of the rotating element.

6. In a turbine of the class described, arotati'ng element provided with a series of blades, a casing surrounding said element and comprising complemental sections each of which is provided with an annular steam-casing, said casings having open sides adjacent to the blades of said rotating element and provided with jackets for the reception of ive steam to eflect superheating of the steam within said casings, and stationary admission and release blades arranged in the open sides of said casings for effecting successive expansions of the steam'in its traverse from said casings and through the blades of the rotating element.

7. In a turbine of the class described, a rotating element provided with a series of blades, a casing surrounding said element and formed of complemental sections each of which is provided with an annular steam-casing, said casings having their inner sides open, a series of stationary admission and release blades arranged in the open sides of said casings for effecting successive expansionsof the steam in its passa e from said casings through the blades of are rotating element, one of said casings bein provided with a plurality of inlets at space intervals around the same, and the other casing being provided with a plurality'of exhausts around t e same but arranged at points between said inlets, and divisionwalls arranged in said casings and forming a connect ed series of spiral ambers, whereb the steam is successivelv ad Y:

vancedfrom the inlets to the exhausts.

S. In turbine of the class described, a re tating element provided with a series of blades, a casing surrounding the same and provided with annular steam-chambers at opposite sides of the blades of said element, said chambers having their inner sides open, stationary admission and release blades arranged in the open sides of said casings for effecting successive expansions of the steam during its passa e from the chambers and through the bla es of'the rotating element,

being provided with ring mounted upon said element, an inneran an outer series of blades carried by said supportingrm steam-casings arranged at the sides of sai blades and having their inner sides open, stationary admission and release blades arranged in the open sides of said casings for eiiecting successive expansions of the steam as it asses from said casing through the blades of the rotating element, and aconnected series of spiral passages arranged in said casings for transferring the steam alternately between said casings during its gassage therethrough.

10. In a turbine of the class described, rotating element having its peripheral edge notche or serrated, an ex ansible sup ortin -ring mounted upon said element and provi ed with teeth or projections fitting within the notches or serrations thereof, means for securing said ring upon said element, a series of blades arranged upon said supporting-ring, a steam-chamber surroundingsaid blades and having a steam-passage therein, and stationary admission and release blades arranged in said casing for eflecting successive expan sions of the steam as it passes through said casing-and the blades of the rotating element.

11. In a turbine of the classdescribed, a rotating element, an inner and an outeriseries of blades carried by said rotating. ele-' ment, a binding-ring mounted upon the ends of the blades constituting the outer series, a steam-casing surroundin said blades, and stationary admission an release blades arranged in said casing for eiiecting successive expansions of the steam as it passes throu h said casing and the blades of the rotating e-ement,

. in a turbine of the class described, a

n thereon, an inner and an outer I LES arranged upon said supportt we blades ci said series being ro- 7 lbll end projections or lugs, the ugs upon the inner ends of the inner series being seated in said supporting-ring, a bindingring arranged upon the outer ends of the outer series and provided with sockets for the re:

ception of the lugs upon the outer ends of said blades, clamping-rings embracing the lugs upon the outer and inner ends or the inner and outer blades, a steam-casing surig element, an expansible supporting' rounding the blades of the rotating element, and stationary admission and release blades arranged in said casing and adapted to-eil ect successive expansions of the steam during its passage throu ,h said casing and the blades of the rotating e ement.

13. In a turbine of the class described, a rotating element, an expansible supportingring carried thereby and. detachably connected thereto and having an inner and an outer series of blades mounted thereon, a steam casing surrounding the blades of the rotating element, stationary admission and release blades arranged in said casing and adapted to efi ect successive expansions of the steam during its passage through said casing and the blades of the rotating element, division-walls arranged in said casing and forming a co11- nected series of spiral chambers around the blades of the rotating element, and jackets surrounding said casing and said walls for the reception of live steam to superheat the steam within the casing during the successive expansions.

14. In a turbine of the class described, a ro tating element having a series of blades, a cas mg having a steam inlet and exhaust, sald casing surrounding said rotating element, a

series of division-Walls arranged in said casing and forming a series of connected chambers arranged spirally around the axis of rotation, said chambers extending in opposite directions from the steam-inlet to the exhaust,

whereby the steam introduced through said inlet is split and guided from each side thereof to the exhaust, and admission and release blades arranged in said casing to successively expand the steam in its passage through the casing. i

15. In a turbine of the class described, a rotating element having a series of blades, a casing having a steam inlet and exhaust, said casing surrounding said rotating element, a series of division-Walls arranged in said casing and forming a series of connected chambers arran ed spirally around the axis of rotation, said chambers gradually increasing in size from the inlet to the exhaust and extending in opposite directions from the steaminlet to the exhaust, whereby the steam introduced through said inlet is split and guidcd from each side thereof to the exhaust, and admission andrelease blades arranged in said casing to successively expand the steam in its passage through the casing.

16.111 a turbine of the class described, a-

rotating element having a series of blades, a

casing associated with said rotating element and 'provided with admission and release blades for eftecting expansion of the steam, a

series of inlets for admittin steam to said casing, a supply-pipe, branc 1 (pipes leadin from said supply-pipe to sai inlets, an

means for controlling each inlet independent of the others, whereby the turbine may be regulated in accordance with the variations in load and high eiiiciency maintained.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN W. SMITH.

' Witnesses:

T. E. BARNWELL, W. J. LEE. 

